Geelong incurs please explain over secret concussion waiver

Geelong CEO Steve Hocking has confirmed that the club has been issued with a please explain from the AFL over a secret concussion waiver that a player had signed with the club.

It was revealed by the Herald Sun on Thursday that the Cats had an agreement with a player that waived the club’s legal risk for any future incidents of concussion/head trauma, which was unbeknownst to the AFL and the AFLPA. That deal was signed two years before its reveal.

Following the shock revelation, the AFL confirmed that the waiver would be removed but noted that Geelong would be unpunished for the incident, acknowledging that the letter was not used to allow a medically unfit player to continue their AFL career.

Speaking the following day, Hocking confirmed that he has received correspondence from the AFL over the incident.

“I have received a letter of please explain from the AFL, in relation to this matter,” he said.

“So, we'll deal with that over the coming days.”

When asked why the AFL were unaware of the agreement, the former Cats player acknowledged that it was merely a misstep.

“There’s no reason,” Hocking explained.

“It was just a misstep in the process.”

The Cats next feature on Saturday when they host Essendon at GMHBA Stadium.

The match begins at 4:35pm AEST.